Take-apart kite



Feb. 4, 1958 P. M. RODRIGUEZ 2,822,140

TAKE-APART KITEv El-7i. INVENTOR l PEDRO MARIA RODRIGUEZ Z5/52j: BY l 75 .AMM/Vix Feb. 4, 1958 P. M. RODRIGUEZ 2,822,140

TAKE-APART KITE Filed Feb. 28; 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR.

RODRIGUEZ PEDRO MARIA United States Patent TAKE-APART Pedro Maria Rodriguez, New York, N. Y.

Application February 28, 1955, Serial No. 490,846

4 Claims. (Cl. 244-153) This invention relates to kites. More particularly, the invention has reference to a kite of the box type.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a kite the design of which will be particularly adapted for balancing the kite properly in ight.

Another object is to so design the kite as to resist effectively any tendency of .the kite, under the pressure of wind currents, to tilt either longitudinally or transversely.

Still another object is to provide a kite of improved design, which will be particularly sensitive to Wind currents affecting the same.

Still another object is to provide a kite which will include, on selected bracing elements thereof, elongated aps vibratory about said elements under pressure of the wind currents, to set up a vibratory action having an audible characteristic to produce a humming sound that will greatly increase the attractiveness of the kite during use.

For further comprehension of .the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description yand laccompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a kite formed according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the kite.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sect-ion on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section -on line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, exploded, enlarged perspective view showing how the connections of the parts of the kite are made during assembly thereof.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged, top plan view showing a reinforcing plate.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a main or lower stabilizer panel, 12 similarly designates an elevator panel, 14 an auxiliary or upper stabilizer panel, 16 a pair of end flap assemblies, and 18 a middle flap assembly. These cornponents of the kite are individually pre-assembled, and are subsequently assembled with one another in the manner shown in Fig. 2.

Considering rst the construction of the main stabilizer panel, this includes a longitudinal brace 20 extending from end to end thereof, vertical end braces 22, and a middle vertical brace 24, greater in length than the braces 22. The braces 22, 24 are xedly secured in any suitable manner intermediate their ends to the brace 20 where the brace 20 intersects the vertical braces. Glue could be used in some commercial embodiments, `or alternatively, the parts can be connected by small nails, staples, or the like. An eye 26 on one brace 22 receives a kite string 28.

Carried by the longitudinal and vertical braces is a stabilizer panel member 30 of paper, cloth, or the like.

This is of elongated formation and is disposed in a verfice tical plane, the top edge of the member 30 being horizontal and being coextensive in length to the longitudinal brace 20. The member 30 is secured along its top edge to the brace 20.

The several vertical Ibraces extend transversely of and are secured to the panel member 30 by adhesive or equivalent means. The lower extremities of the vertical braces terminate at the bottom edge of member 30, and said bottom edge is formed with a plurality of angularly related portions, due to the differing lengths of the braces 22, 24. In respect to its outer configuration, the member 30 may appropriately be considered as tapering toward its opposite ends, since it is widest medially between its ends where the middle brace 24 extends transversely thereof, and is progressively reduced in width from its midlength point to its opposite extremities.

Considering now the construction of the elevator panel 12, this includes a pair of parallel longitudinal 'braces 32, the opposite ends 4of which rest upon and are secured xedly to transversely extending end cross braces 3.4. Medially between their ends, the longitudinal braces 32 of the elevator panel cross over and are secured to the intermediate portion of a middle cross brace 35 parallel to and spaced equidistantly from the end braces 34.

Disposed longitudinally and centrally of the elevator panel 12, that is, in alignment with the longitudinal center line of said panel, are end longitudinal brace members 36, projecting outwardly in opposite directions from the end cross braces 34, and resting at their inner ends upon and being xedly secured to the midlength portions of said end cross braces.

A flexible panel member 38 of paper or cloth overlies the several braces of .the elevator member, and is secured to said braces. To further insure the rm con* nection of the panel member 38 to the associated braces, flexible connecting tabs 42 can be positioned in straddling relation to the respective longitudinal braces 32, and adhesively secured at their ends to the under surface of the panel 38. It will be understood that similar connecting tabs can be used over the braces 34, 35, 36 if desired.

Extending peripherally of the panel member 38 is a reinforcing or framing cord element 39 (Fig. 3). The cord element 39 is engaged in slits formed in the ends of the several braces 34, 35, 36, and is tensioned, so as to correspondingly make taut the panel 38. As shown in Fig. 3, the edge portion of the panel member 38 can be folded under the cord element and adhesively secured to the main or `body portion of the panel to permanently assemble the cord element with the panel material.

Extending upwardly from the opposite end portions of the panel member 38 are flexible stabilizer llaps 40 of right triangular configuration. The flaps 40 are peripherally reinforced or framed 'by cord elements 48, and one end of these cord elements extends freely from the apex portion of each flap 40, for a purpose to be made presently apparent.

Referring now to the auxiliary stabilizer panel 14, this is in the form of a low, elongated isoceles triangle, and includes a panel member 50, peripherally framed by a cord 52 the ends of which depend from the opposite ends of the panel member 50 in the pre-assembled condition of the parts, as shown in Fig. 2.

The end flap assemblies 16 are identical to one another, s o the description of one will suiiice for both. Each flap assembly includes a plurality of elongated, narrow flap elements 54, lconnected end-to-end by a single cord 56. Each flap element 54, as shown in Fig. 4, is folded upon itself along its longitudinal center line, about the cord 56. The several flap elements are spaced closely apart, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to leave exposedpor- 3 tions of the cord 56 between the adjacent ends of the flap elements.

The middle flap assembly 1S is formed similarly to the end ap assemblies, but its flap elements 58, connected by a cord 60, are of greater length than the corresponding iiap elements 54 of the end iiap assemblies,

In the upper ends of the vertical braces 22, 22 (see Fig. 5) there are formed crossed slits 62, 64 adapted to receive the depending ends of the framing cord S2 of the auxiliary stabilizer panel, the ends of cords 48, and the midlength portions of the cord elements 56. Crossing slits in the upper end of the vertical brace 24 would receive the midlength portion of cord 52 of the auxiliary stabilizer panel, which is exposed as shown in Fig. 2, and the midlength portion of the cord 6G.

Fig. 2 shows the manner in which the components of the kite, pre-assembled in the manner previously described herein, are connected to one another to form the completed kite. As a first step, the elevator panel is mounted upon the main stabilizer panel 10, by being shifted downwardly to receive the upper end portions of the vertical braces 22, 24. These project through openings 46 formed in panel member 38 and ultimately, the elevator panel comes to rest upon the longitudinal or main brace 29 of the stabilizer panel.

Then, the upper stabilizer panel 14 is mounted upon the upper ends of the vertical braces 22, 24, with the midlength portion of cord 52 engaging in one of the crossing slits of brace 24, and the free end portions of the cord 52 engaging in the corresponding slits of the braces 22.

After mounting of the auxiliary stabilizer panel on the upper ends of braces 22, 24, the free ends of the reinforcing or framing cords 48 of the triangular flaps 40 are engaged in the slits formed in the upper ends of the vertical braces 22 of the stablizer panel.

To reinforce the construction where the braces 22, 24 extend through the openings in member 38, there are provided thin metal reinforcing plates 66, having square apertures 68 register-ing with the openings, the apertures 68 being formed in enlarged, rounded end portions of the reinforcing plates, with said rounded end portions merging into relatively narrow extensions 70 that overlie the end longitudinal braces 36. Plates 66 are adhesively secured to member 38.

After the auxiliary stabilizer panel has been properly positioned on the vertical braces as hereinbefore described, the flap assemblies 16, 18 are mounted. As a iirst step, the midlength portions of the cords 56, 60 of these assemblies are engaged in the transversely extending slits of the upper ends of vertical braces 22, 24. Then, at opposite sides of the kite, the cords 56, 60 are engaged in end slits formed in the cross braces 34, 3S of the elevator panel. Finally, the free ends of the cords 56, 60 are engaged in slits formed in the lower L extremities of the braces 22, 24 respectively.

It will be seen that the cords 56, 60 serve as struts, bracing the stabilizer and elevator panels against relative movement, in crossing, perpendicularly related planes. The several flap elements 54, 58, in the 'dually assembled condition of the kite (see Fig. 1) are disposed in inclined positions, with the flap assemblies having an approximately rhomboidal or diamond-shaped form when the kite is viewed from its end, in the finally assembled condition of the kite.

A kite formed as illustrated and described herein has certain desirable characteristics, notable among which are the adaptability of the kite to be folded dat, during shipment thereof or while awaiting sale. Further, the kite can be assembled with ease, as will be readily apparent from Fig. 2. Still further, the kite, when down, has a highly desirable functional characteristic, in that despite its lightweight, it presents a maximum lift surface to the air currents.

The various braces may be molded of plastic, aluminum or any other suitable material.

The particular formation and relative arrangement of the stabilizer and elevator panels causes the kite to be `eeld in a steady, balanced condition while being flown, the stabilizer panel serving to prevent transverse tilting while the elevator panel correspondingly serves to prevent longitudinal tilting. The elevator panel, of course, provides the desired lift surface. Still further, the provision of an auxiliary upper stabilizer panel disposed in spaced relation to the elevator panel, with an open space therebetween, and the provision of the aps 40, further serves to stabilize the kite while it is flying, in cooperation with the main or lower stabilizer panel. The flap assemblies, meanwhile, brace the several component parts against relative movement, and the flap elements S4, 58 tend to swing about their associated cords into planes in which they aiord the least resistance to the wind. Though the flap elements substantially remain in these planes, they tend to vibrate slightly, and thus create a humming sound as the wind or air currents pass the same. Apart from this, the ap elements serve to further stabilize the kite, since they initially offer resistance to any stray cross currents, breaking up said currents somewhat before the same can impinge upon the surfaces of the elevator and stabilizer panels.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A kite comprising an elevator panel lying in a tirst plane, a main stabilizer panel lying in a second plane intersecting the first plane, an auxiliary stabilizer panel lying in the second plane and spaced from the main stabilizer panel, and a plurality of flap assemblies extending about and interconnecting the several panels, the ap assemblies each including a plurality of relatively narrow, elongated flap elements and a cord element connecting said Hap elements end to end, the flap assemblies lying in parallel planes normal to both the first and second planes, the main stabilizer panel being disposed wholly below and the auxiliary stabilizer panel being disposed wholly above the plane of the elevator panel, the auxiliary stabilizer panel being spaced a substantial distance throughout its length from the elevator panel, the elevator panel including a plurality of crossing brace members, and a iiexible panel member connected to the brace members and formed with pointed ends.

2. A kite comprising an elevator panel lying in a first plane, a main stabilizer panel lying in a second plane intersecting the first plane, an auxiliary stabilizer panel lying in the second plane and spaced from the main stabilizer panel, and a plurality of flap assemblies extending about and interconnecting the several panels, the flap assemblies each including a plurality of relatively narrow, elongated iiap elements and a cord element connecting said flap elements end to end, the ap assemblies lying in parallel planes normal to both the first and second planes, the main stabilizer panel being disposed wholly below and the auxiliary stabilizer panel being disposed wholly above the plane of the elevator panel, the auxiliary stabilizer panel being spaced a substantial distance throughout its length from the elevator panel, the elevator panel including a plurality of crossing brace members, and a Flexible panel member connected to the brace members and formed with pointed ends, the main stabilizer panel including a main longitudinal brace and a plurality of vertically extending cross braces, said main stabilizer panel further including a sheet-like panel member progressively reduced in width from its midlength portion toward its opposite ends.

3. A kite comprising an elevator panel lying in a rst plane, a main stabilizer panel lying in a second plane intersecting the first plane, an auxiliary stabilizer panel lying in the second plane and spaced from the main stabilizer panel, and a plurality of ap assemblies extending about and interconnecting the several panels, the ap assemblies each including a plurality of relatively narrow, elongated llap elements and a cord element connecting said iap elements end to end, the ap assemblies lying in parallel planes normal to both the first and second planes, each of said flap assemblies being of substantially rhomboidal outer conguration, with the ap elements thereof being inclined in respect to the planes of the main stabilizer panel and the elevator panel.

4. A kite comprising an elevator panel lying in a rst plane, a main stabilizer panel lying in a second plane intersecting the rst plane, an'auxiliary stabilizer panel lying in the second plane and spaced from the main 20 stabilizer panel, and a plurality of ap assemblies extending about and interconnecting the several panels, the llap assemblies each including a plurality of relatively narrow, elongated flap elements and a cord element conectng said ap elements end to end, the flap assemblies lying in parallel planes normal to both the first and second planes, said main stabilizer panel including a plurality of vertically extending braces and a sheet-like panel member, the panel member being connected to the lower end portions of the vertical braces, the upper end portions of the vertical braces projecting through the sheet-like panel member, said auxiliary stabilizer panel being connected to the upper end portions of said braces.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,548,542 Meena Aug. 4, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 410,957 France Mar. 24, 191() 

